The Stickler Weekly Insights 223

When I used to teach community college classes, one thing I was loathe to do was provide the definitive list of indicators associated with each cryptic device. Continue reading →

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The Stickler Weekly 223

The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format.

The solution to this puzzle will appear next week.

  Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 223
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 223
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 222
Insights for this week
  Invest in the Future of The Stickler

Please include comments or discussion about this crossword below.
Request help in the Clue Hints blog entry so all can see.

It’s a weekly crossword, so please don’t give/discuss any full answers until the solution is posted (such posts will be deleted/edited).

Enjoy!

The Stickler

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The Stickler Weekly 223 Clue Hints

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


1-across


10-across

11-across




26-across

27-across

1-down


3-down


5-down

6-down


16-down



20-down


The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is a jumbling of letters except for the initial or final letter of the anagram fodder. An anagram indicator and truncation indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 223 Overseas Help

Welcome all cryptic crossword solvers.

Some cryptic crosswords are tough purely because local lingo is used and not understood by all, especially those living outside of Australia. This post seeks to fill this vernacular gap.

There aren’t any extra hints needed this week.

Like to add something I’ve missed to help others, or comment on a meaning, term or expression? Please leave a reply below.

Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 223 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 222 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PARAPHRASE
Expected rash developed in ape, say, in a different way (10) PAR + (anagram of RASH inside APE)
6 SWAB
Specimen was treated with boron (4) Anagram of WAS + B
10 SHAKE
Small fish flourish (5) S + HAKE
11 TRIENNIAL
Nine involved in court case lasting three years (9) Anagram of NINE inside TRIAL
12 AIRMAN
Bomber’s guide, for one, married in a Middle East country (6) M inside (A + IRAN)
13 GROWS UP
Gets bigger ewes evenly distributed in flock (5,2) e(W)e(S) inside GROUP
15 LIGHTS
Flimsy pole catches fire (6) LIGHT + S
16 BEATINGS
People gathered around at events associated with strikes (8) BEINGS outside AT
17 STRICTLY
Trick not completed ahead of time in secret precisely (8) [(TRIC)K + T] inside SLY
20 SORTIE
Offensive act that is committed after class (6) IE after SORT
23 EMPEROR
Coinage of Rome sent around by ruler (7) Anagram of ROME inside PER
24 ROLLED
Half of patrol went ahead and turned (6) part(ROL) + LED
26 INSOLVENT
Lions sprayed discharge on the rocks (9) Anagram of LIONS + VENT
27 BLAZE
Stand around after start of big bonfire (5) LAZE after (B)IG
28 GUST
Endless enthusiasm is a blast? (4) (GUST)O
29 STARTER-KIT
Leading person arranged trek with IT equipment crucial to initial success (7-3) STAR + anagram of TREK + IT
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PAST
Forgotten or missed by minister (4) PASTOR minus OR
2 REARING
Auditor engaged by organisation is setting up (7) EAR inside RING
3 PNEUMATIC DRILL
Pictured man injured badly with air-tool (9,5) Anagram of PICTURED MAN + ILL
4 RATING
Cheap newspaper making case to preserve status (6) RAG outside TIN
5 SHINGLE
Doctor’s sign, say, individual spotted on the outside of hospital (7) SINGLE outside H
7 WAITS ON
First of all it’s breaking accomplished serves (5,2) [(A)LL + ITS] inside WON
8 BILLPOSTER
Advertiser is beginning to blame sick mail handler (10) (B)LAME + ILL + POSTER
9 UNCONTROLLABLE
Furious relative checking on bill containing bread (14) UNCLE outside [(ON + TAB) outside ROLL]
14 BLISTERING
Very hot tiles warped in transport (10) Anagram of TILES inside BRING
16 BAY
Dark horse’s stall (3) Double Definition
18 RAPISTS
Criminal charge is restricting street people responsible for violations (7) (RAP + IS) outside ST
19 LARGEST
Most prominent home of Hollywood gangster primarily owned by others (7) LA + [(G)ANGSTER inside REST]
21 TIE RACK
Wardrobe feature, possibly, that is fixed in a permanent way (3,4) IE inside TRACK
22 CRATER
Packing case, located by river, is hollow (6) CRATE + R
25 DEFT
Expert took food over time (4) FED reversed + T

 

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The Stickler Weekly Insights 222

It’s pretty clear that, in general, solvers don’t own, or don’t have access to comprehensive dictionaries. How do I know? There are many queries about definitions and components of clues that would be answered with just one simple look-up. As a solver, you can’t be expected to know everything about a word and I can’t be expected to write crosswords using the lowest common denominator of word knowledge of my solvers.
Having said that, I have to aim for a place that both of us can exist, and to that end I have rules regarding what words and meanings I use, the references they must be in and whether I have a working knowledge of a word/term. When in doubt, a simple clue can come to the rescue.
All this is under threat, though, as the electronic dictionaries I have that run locally on my PC, are no longer being produced. They have been replaced by online versions that are a poor substitute, with slow response time, zero integration with crossword software and limited search options. Such online software needs a working internet and insists on a logon process that automatically logs you off after a short period of inactivity. In the case of Oxford, you can buy a personal annual subscription that gives you access to 100s of publications, but there’s no provision for a smaller fee for just a couple of titles. The system is heavily geared towards institutions like universities and schools, but does allow people to access publications through libraries, if your local library has signed up. Yearly fees for each publisher tend to be more than buying hard or soft copies of dictionaries, making the online environment very much unsatisfactory for crossword setters. With very few crosswords to produce, I won’t be using online versions anytime soon, relying heavily on my ageing PC-based electronic dictionaries. While dictionaries don’t change that much, they do change, so there’s a real possiblity that over time I’ll get left behind. I guess I’ll deal with that if and when it occurs.

The Stickler

Spread the word
Posted in Crosswords General, Stickler Weekly General, Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler | 5 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 222

The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format.

The solution to this puzzle will appear next week.

  Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 222
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 222
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 221
Insights for this week
  Invest in the Future of The Stickler

Please include comments or discussion about this crossword below.
Request help in the Clue Hints blog entry so all can see.

It’s a weekly crossword, so please don’t give/discuss any full answers until the solution is posted (such posts will be deleted/edited).

Enjoy!

The Stickler

Posted in Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 222 Clue Hints

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


1-across


12-across


15-across


17-across

23-across

26-across



2-down

3-down


7-down

8-down



19-down


25-down

Punctuation generally should be ignored - always consider how a clue reads without punctuation.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 222 Overseas Help

Welcome all cryptic crossword solvers.

Some cryptic crosswords are tough purely because local lingo is used and not understood by all, especially those living outside of Australia. This post seeks to fill this vernacular gap.

There aren’t any extra hints needed this week.

Like to add something I’ve missed to help others, or comment on a meaning, term or expression? Please leave a reply below.

Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 222 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 221 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BRAISE
Sprig of basil to enhance stew? (6) (B)ASIL + RAISE
4 PING-PONG
Pressure in fast event on gamer’s first game (4-4) P + IN + GP + ON + (G)AMER
9 SLIVERS
Small pieces of offal, thin slices (7) S + LIVERS
11 PANICKY
Frightened one in particular (7) AN inside PICKY
12 REICH
Energy generated in productive German state (5) E inside RICH
13 ABACUSES
A defender, cut down, consumes tablets (8) A + (BAC)K + USES
14 DISCREDITS
Recording engineer ultimately makes changes to slurs (10) DISC + ENGINEE(R) + EDITS
16 AT IT
A small flyer is keeping busy (2,2) A + TIT
19 STOP
Series of tests to perform check (4) testS TO Perform
20 BLOCK PLANE
Secure map in empty bottle with carpenter’s tool? (5,5) (LOCK + PLAN) inside B(ottl)E
22 ATOM BOMB
Explosive gathering retreated inside a mausoleum (4,4) MOB reversed inside (A + TOMB)
23 TOPIC
Detective in hospital bed recalled question (5) PI inside (COT reversed)
26 LOOPING
Head of old nail, hammered into a piece of wood, is turning around (7) [(O)LD + PIN] inside LOG
27 EPISTLE
Letter “R” missing from anagram of reptiles (7) Anagram of REPTILES minus R
28 MINISTRY
Country runners try following cars (8) TRY after MINIS
29 FELONY
Downgraded charge only affected serious crime? (6) (FE)E + anagram of ONLY
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BESTRIDES
Gets on leading fairground entertainment (9) BEST + RIDES
2 ALIBI
A politician, I suspect, doesn’t have one (5) A + LIB + I
3 SHEPHERD
Lock-up containing pusher giving up US marshal (8) SHED outside (PUSHER minus US)
5 IMPRACTICABLE
Useless right in effect, one on line (13) (R inside IMPACT) + I + CABLE
6 GENIUS
Mastermind, one acknowledged in class (6) I inside GENUS
7 ORCHESTRA
The Corrs, a rocky music group (9) Anagram of THE CORRS A
8 GUYS
Makes fun of people generally (4) Double Definition
10 SCANDALMONGER
Investigate doddery old German, one spreading dirt (13) SCAN + anagram of OLD GERMAN
15 SHOUT DOWN
“Silence! Silence! Get the better of gutless warden”? (5,4) SH + OUTDO + W(arde)N
17 TREACHERY
Disloyalty in connection with pain suffered in struggle (9) (RE + ACHE) in TRY
18 SPITFIRE
Fury and ill-feeling about source of deal, perhaps (8) SPITE outside FIR
21 EMAILS
Correspondence implicated ladies’ man with missing DNA (6) Anagram of LADIES MAN minus DNA
24 POTTO
Clothing passed up to a slow African climber (5) TOP reversed + TO
25 SLUM
Depressed area’s never-ending depression? (4) (SLUM)P

 

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